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First day of the Somme - the roll call after attack
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First day of the Somme - the roll call after attack
British soldiers in a trench on the first day of the Somme (1 July 1916), lining up for a roll call after the attack.
1916
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Media ID 14137029
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Aftermath Attack Battalion Battles Roll Somme Trench Trenches Warfare
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the somber reality of the aftermath of the First Day of the Somme battle on July 1, 1916. The image, published by the Illustrated London News Ltd, depicts a line of weary and battered British soldiers huddled in a trench, awaiting the roll call following their attack. Their faces bear the marks of exhaustion, anxiety, and grief, reflecting the immense human cost of the battle that had raged throughout the day. The First Day of the Somme is considered one of the bloodiest single days in the history of warfare. More than 20,000 British soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing in action. The attack, which was intended to make a significant breakthrough in the stalemate of trench warfare, instead resulted in a costly and ultimately unsuccessful advance. The soldiers in this photograph, a mix of officers and enlisted men, stand at attention, their eyes fixed on their commanding officer. The scene is one of order amidst chaos, a testament to the discipline and resilience of the British Army in the face of overwhelming adversity. The trench, a narrow and muddy slit, serves as a stark reminder of the harsh conditions in which these soldiers lived and fought. The roll call, a routine military procedure, takes on a new significance in this context. It is a moment of accountability, a way of ensuring that every man is present and accounted for, and a reminder of the fragility of life in the midst of war. The photograph offers a glimpse into the human side of a conflict that is often reduced to statistics and numbers. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the men who fought in the trenches of the Somme, and the enduring impact of their experiences on the course of history.
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